What's your collecting philosophy?

[Archduke]

A really interesting thread. Keep it going!

Not really a 'philosophy' but an emerging method to the madness:

Buy new from AD - for peace of mind

Keep for life - don't flip (learned this the expensive way)

Don't buy on credit - buy what I can comfortably afford from savings

Buy what I like - don't buy on impulse or on the basis of 'must have' recommendations in magazines and forums

Buy watches with in-house movements

Make sure there is a date window at the 3 o'clock position on mechanical watches

No arabic or Roman numerals on mechanical watches

Black dial for sports / tool watches, and white dial for dress

Cover the bases first - YG dress pref on croc strap, SS Sub date daily wearer, G-SHOCK beater

[beshannon]

I buy what I want to own and wear

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by beshannon

I buy what I want to own and wear

That about sums it up for me, too.

[xjeeunitx]

For me, it changes all the time. It depends on what gets my interest at the time. I do believe that a collection should at least have the basic iconic watches like the submariner, speedmaster professional, etc. In additition, a collection shoukd have a dress, diver, chronograph, gmt, def a g shock, and/or other complicated watches.

[jrgougeon]

Originally Posted by Le Chef

The originals that can't be mistaken for anything else. So AP Royal Oak, JLC Reverso, Lange 1, Omega Speedmaster Pro, Panerai Luminor, Patek Nautilus, Rolex Sub, etc.

This is also my philosophy. I have a Speedy, Sub, Datejust. Unfortunately the rest of what I consider iconic watches are outside of what I can spend at this time; maybe down the road things will be different.